In today's episode of As City Hall Turns, we'll drop in on a 10:00 a.m. press conference where Mayor Mike McGinn will respond to yesterday's surprise news that Richard Conlin, president of the city council, signed off on a state study for the deep-bore tunnel. Was that legal, considering the city charter and tunnel-related laws vest those powers with—certainly not the city council—the mayor and his officers?

Such as this:

ARTICLE IV. Legislative Department.
Sec. 7. LEGISLATIVE ACTS BY ORDINANCE; SUBJECT MATTER; TITLE; ENACTING CLAUSE;
Every legislative act of said City shall be by ordinance.

Or this?

ARTICLE V. Executive Department
Sec. 2. POWER AND DUTIES OF MAYOR:
The Mayor shall see that the laws of the City are enforced, and shall direct and control all subordinate officers of the City, except in so far as such enforcement, direction and control is by this Charter reposed in some other officer or board...

Or even THIS?

The city and county departments of transportation shall be responsible for the cost, delivery, and associated risks of the project components for which each department is responsible, as outlined in the January 13, 2009, letter of agreement...

In off-the cuff remarks last night, McGinn said, "Richard Conlin apparently believes that he is above the law. He needs to retract his signature immediately. The city has not approved this EIS."

Will McGinn provide a legal analysis later this morning that says, yoobetcha, Conlin broke the lahhhhw? Or that the state colluded in a practice it knew was untenable? Will Richard Conlin wait for reporters outside the council offices so he can deliver a petty remark, attempting to stoke interpersonal theatrics at City Hall? And! Will reporters gobble it up for sport—missing the point (the impact study shows the tunnel is a terrrrrrible transportation solution)—and focus on the soap opera?

Only the latter is guaranteed in today's episode of As City Hall Turns. Stay tuned.